World Cup Preview - Group H - Russia

Absurd FIFA ranking: 18th

Coach: "The Deadly Don" Fabio Capello

Match Schedule:
June 17 – Russia v. South Korea (Cuiaba, 6:00 p.m. EST, ESPN)
June 22 – Russia v. Belgium (Rio, 12:00 p.m., ABC)
June 26 – Russia v. Algeria (Porto Alegre, 4:00 p.m., ESPN2)

Prospects: Russia topped a lazy Portugal in Group F of UEFA qualifying to raise the expectations for Capello's outfit this summer. Yet, a squad that is entirely based in Russia betrays a lack of quality and experience. The Russian may also suffer in the intense heat of South America.

Key Player: Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev will be kept busy in Brazil.

Youngster to watch: 23 year-old Dynamo Moscow winger could prove a handful.

Who Will Get the Goals: Zenit St. Peterburg's Aleksandr Kherzakov was the top scorer in qualifiers.

 Who Will Get the Cards: Rugged skipper Igor Denisov.





Funniest Names in the Squad - Yuri Zhirkov, Alan Dzagoev and Oleg Shatov are the best comic triple-threat in world football.
 
Prediction: Just edged out in the group stage by the more athletic South Koreans.